advice for sickness benefits

rippedoffnewwife

I have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, I am managing my job at the moment but it is becoming increasingly clear that I may not be able to continue working for very much longer as I am finding my job more and more difficult due to constant pain and swelling in my hands. If I was unable to work does anyone have any ideas of any benefits I may be entitled to if any? I am completely at a loss as I have always been employed

Amistoso_2

depends on quite a few factors, are you single or have a parner? do you have have kids? live in rented or owned accommodation, have savings etc
just because you feel you can perhaps not do the job you have at the moment don't discount yourself from doing any work at all, perhaps you could look for a job more suited to your condition?

Indie_Kid

For teh first 28 weeks, you'll get statutort sick pay. After that, it'll be ESA - if your income (and that of your partner, if you have one) is low enough or you've paid enough NI over the past 2 tax years.

rippedoffnewwife

Hi thanks for the replies, im married (hubby in full-time work) with two children and live in a private rented house, have no savings , ive always worked since leaving school and hope to carry on doing so, im just alittle worried as it is my hands which are badly affected which is limiting things i do, as you can image, may sound stupid but whats ESA?

speedfreek1000

Have you discussed this with your work too see if they can make adjustments to help you manage?

A lot of work places have Occupational Health advisers who are trained in assessing the above. You could also talk to you doctor to see if they know anybody who could suggest changes you could talk to.

If your job involves a lot of computer use you can get special keyboards and also alternatives to mice (e.g. track balls). I've worked a bit with people with RSI/joint pain and little changes like that can make a massive amount of difference to their comfort.

sunnyone

rippedoffnewwife wrote: »

I have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, I am managing my job at the moment but it is becoming increasingly clear that I may not be able to continue working for very much longer as I am finding my job more and more difficult due to constant pain and swelling in my hands. If I was unable to work does anyone have any ideas of any benefits I may be entitled to if any? I am completely at a loss as I have always been employed

What meds have you started?

It takes 12 weeks for DMARDS to kick in and you may have to try a few before you find the righ one, pain meds and NSAIDS/steriod jabs can help the pain in the meantime.

You need to hang on to your job until you find the right drug for you, if DMARDs dont work there are biologicals to try, giving up your job would be foolish when many people with RA can work with the right help.

I have severe RA in my hands and Im having surgery on them soon so I do know what its like and the chances of getting ESA/DLA are slim.

rippedoffnewwife

Where did i state i was going to give my job up????
i was asking what would happen if i was unable to work

Amistoso_2

rippedoffnewwife wrote: »

I have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, I am managing my job at the moment but it is becoming increasingly clear that I may not be able to continue working for very much longer as I am finding my job more and more difficult due to constant pain and swelling in my hands. If I was unable to work does anyone have any ideas of any benefits I may be entitled to if any? I am completely at a loss as I have always been employed

rippedoffnewwife wrote: »

Where did i state i was going to give my job up????
i was asking what would happen if i was unable to work

"I may not be able to continue working for very much longer"
I think that statement may give people the impression that you meant giving up work, appologies if that's not the case but why so narky you've had some very supportive and helpfull comments!! if you had to go off sick from work it would depend on what policies the company you work for have in place, do you get full pay perhaps for a certain time? if not you may be entitled to SSP for up to 26 weeks after which time you may need to go on ESA if still not fit to work

edited to add:- ESA is Employment and support allowance (was incapacity benefit previously) if you do go off sick and your husbands earnings are low then you could also try for LHA(housing benefit) and also inform tax credits of your change in circs as this could change the amount of money you get from them

sandraroffey

you may qualify for DLA. you can get that even if you are working, its not means tested/

Amistoso_2

DLA is awarded if your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or you have walking difficulties, or both